Friday, July 15, 2016

O'Briens Irish Sandwich Cafe @ Holiday Inn Express, Jalan Raja Chulan

O'Briens has
come a long way since the first Malaysian outpost of this Irish-born sandwich
specialist launched nearly 14 years ago in Great Eastern Mall. With 20 branches
now across Malaysia, it's easy for sandwich lovers to get their fix
from O'Briens, which was first founded by Brody Sweeny in Dublin in 1988 &
now boasts over 200 stores worldwide. If you haven't been back to O'Briens in
some time, there's a reason to return: The latest O'Briens is now open at Jalan
Raja Chulan's new Holiday Inn Express, showcasing a contemporary sheen that
caters to hotel guests & others, including the city centre's corporate
workers.

O'Briens at
Holiday Inn Express City Centre is distinctively spacious, with warm, welcoming
tones that complement its leafy surroundings on this bustling street, with
numerous offices nearby. It sets the potential course & outlook for some of
O'Briens' future branches, including upcoming ones at Gleneagles Kuala Lumpur
& Gleneagles Medini Hospital, Johor Bahru.

The Shambo is one of O'Briens' most recognisable
temptations, with a ‘Focaccia Shambo’ baked to evoke the Irish symbol of a
shamrock. Thick & fairly fluffy, the Shambo can be savoured with O'Briens'
recommendation of chicken slice, cheddar cheese, red onions, tomatoes, lettuce
& honey mustard mayo (RM19.20) in a focaccia shambo or wholemeal shambo. As
always, other fillings can be ordered.

The choice of bread extends to Italian-inspired ciabatta
as well as a variety of wraps. The vegetarian Sundried Tomato Ciabatta might be
a fulfilling medley for meat-free Mondays, textured with mozzarella, roasted
vegetables & basil pesto (RM19.20), while the Chicken, Chicken Crisp &
Cheddar Wrap capably combines its namesake components with mixed peppers
(RM19.10).

For low-carb feasting, salads are the best bet - everything from a French-loving Nicoise to other varieties like a pesto
& mozzarella salad or smoked salmon salad. The classic chicken Caesar salad
may be worth checking out, since it specially features O'Briens' own chicken crisps to bolster the traditional staples of shredded chicken, parmesan, croutons
& Caesar dressing (RM18.40).

Care & attention are showered on O'Briens' beverages
too - smoothies (RM14.30) are rich, with frozen yoghurt forming the foundation
for pulpy mixes like mango, banana & orange juice, while the pure juices
(RM12.30) come in nutrition-fuelled combos like celery, apple & cucumber or
carrot, banana & orange. And if you need a caffeine fix, pick one up at
O'Briens, & look out for the shamrock-shaped coffee art. Many thanks to the
O'Briens team for having us here.

Contact.ewew: 14 years does fly by really quickly, doesn't it ... when o'briens first opened in kl, i was still in my twenties! :D the folks at o'briens will be happy to hear you're a fan of the chicken crisps :D